Harrowing evidence of a Collegiate matriculant and her sister's desperate attempts to stop their mother from bleeding to death after being shot and then having to dive for cover as a hail of bullets rained through a bedroom window has come to light.
The evidence was contained in a statement by Detective Constable Ridwaan Baatjies, the investigating officer in the double murder case of Hailie-Jade Coboza, 19, and her 40-year-old mother, Lusanda.
The statement was read into the court record during the bail application of Nceba Maji, 44, one of the three men accused of committing the crime.
The mother and daughter were gunned down inside their home in the Sakasonke Village in the Walmer Location in Gqeberha at around 20:27 on 1 May.
Hailie-Jade's 13-year-old sister and her stepfather, Phumezo Thunywashe survived the attack.
On the evening of the shooting, Lusanda and Thunywashe were in the lounge when they heard banging sounds coming from outside.
They ran up the stairs to the bedroom where their daughters were. As Lusanda was about to look out of the bedroom window, a gunshot was fired and struck her in the chest.
When she collapsed, her daughters rushed to her aid to try to stop the bleeding.
When 10 more gunshots were fired through the window, Hailie-Jade's sister sought cover next to a bed, while Thunywashe ran downstairs, where he locked himself in the bathroom and phoned for help.
They were both unscathed, but Hailie-Jade and Lusanda sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
The statement further detailed how one of the suspects had hurt himself and left a blood trail. This led police to the hospital, and the suspect was located at the Dora Nginza Hospital.
The suspect was wearing one sneaker at the hospital, and police found the other sneaker at the crime scene.
The State is of the view that the murder was planned and that Thunywashe was the target.
Maji allegedly hired hitmen to kill Thunywashe. Both men are involved in the taxi industry and are alleged to have had a fallout before the shooting.
The State is opposed to Maji's release on bail.
His two co-accused, Sibulele Mzilikazi and Siyabonga Ntswahlana, have meanwhile abandoned their bids for bail.
Maji's bail application will proceed on 5 June.
